Project Evil E30: Houston, we have a problem

TerryBPP · 11-21-2005, 03:39 AM

So I am spewing oil ot of the turbo exhaust side and cant figure out why. I thought it was the valve cover vent still being hooked up to the throttle body but that wasnt it. I'm guessing its the turbo seals. Any of you turbo gurus have any sugestions before I throw this turbo in the garbage and buy a new one?

beepbeep · 11-21-2005, 06:30 AM

Before you change turbo, check if oil drain hose going from turbo is big enough.

If your pistons have lot's of blow-by, they will pressurize the crankcase and blow the oil trough turbo seals.

Also, if turbo is too low oil won't flow trough scavenge hose but will pool in it. It will result in blue smoke too.

TerryBPP · 11-21-2005, 06:54 AM

I'm using a 10AN oil drain line to the oil pan. Only thing I can think of is that the fitting I used to convert the outlet size to the 10 AN might be too restrictive. I'll play with it tonight and see what happens.

No blow by on the pistons.

The turbo touches the hood so I doubt that its too low, lol.

Mr Beau · 11-21-2005, 11:52 AM

Is the drain from the turbo pointing straight down?

TerryBPP · 11-21-2005, 12:22 PM

No, it comes off at a 90 deg angle. I have seen setup like this. Wonder if straight down would help.

Mr Beau · 11-21-2005, 01:04 PM

I don't know the exact specifics but some types of seals are more accepting of this. However in most cases they want the discharge to be +/- 15 degrees from the straight down position. Chances are your dynamic seal is being overwhelmed by oil and is dumping it into the exhaust turbine.

Hopefully it's not that hard to change the routing on your project!

TerryBPP · 11-21-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Beau
I don't know the exact specifics but some types of seals are more accepting of this. However in most cases they want the discharge to be +/- 15 degrees from the straight down position. Chances are your dynamic seal is being overwhelmed by oil and is dumping it into the exhaust turbine.

Hopefully it's not that hard to change the routing on your project!

I'm going to change it around tonight and see what happens. Thanks for the help. I report back tomorrow.

beepbeep · 11-23-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TerryBPP
No, it comes off at a 90 deg angle. I have seen setup like this. Wonder if straight down would help.

There you have it. It shouldn't differ more than 15 degrees from vertical line.

Oil draing going from the side will certainly result in smoke, even on a brand new turbo. There are no OEM turbochargers installed in this way. What you saw was probably coolant pipes, they are often mounted from sides.